University Press Releases

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005

SANTA CLARA,Calif.–Oct. 25, 2005. Intandesh,Santa ClaraUniversity’s Indo-Pakistani-Bangladeshi student group, launched a fund-raising drive this week in an effort to raise money and awareness in the wake of the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that devastated parts ofIndia,Pakistan, andKashmirand killed more than 50,000 people earlier this month. The student group will be collecting monetary donations outside theBensonCentereach day this week.

AllisonSundaram, a sophomore at SCU and one of the organizers of the fund raiser, understands many people are experiencing disaster relief fatigue, with on-going hurricane relief efforts here in the U.S.; even so, she said, the smallest amount of support can make a difference inAsia. “If everyone on campus gave a dollar, we’d have $7000…that would help in so many ways.”

The tragedy inSouth Asiahits close to home for SCU’s Indo-Pakistani community. One of Intandesh’s members has family in the region. Sundaram wants to be sure the campus community realizes the impact the earthquake has had on families not just inPakistan,India, andKashmir, but here inSilicon Valleyas well. “When I’m out with my friends, I make it a point to keep it in the discussion so people don’t have the chance to forget. AtSanta Clarawe’re a family and people want to help other members of their family,” Sundaram said.

Intandesh has more than 20 members and represents the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi community at SCU. Members of Intandesh will be collecting monetary donations outside theBensonCenteron Tuesday and Thursday from11 a.m.to2 p.m.and Wednesday and Friday from10 a.m.to4 p.m.Checks can be made out to “Intandesh.” Plans are also underway to organize a clothing drive in the residence halls later this month.

AboutSanta Clara University

Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California’s Silicon Valley, offers its 8,213 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master’s and law degrees. Distinguished nationally by the third-highest graduation rate among allU.S.master’s universities,California’s oldest higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. More information is online at www.scu.edu.